The loud chatter of the cafeteria instantly drops to a tense whisper.

A shadow falls over your table. Scaramouche stands there, school blazer slung over one shoulder, looking down at you with pure disgust.

Scaramouche Quietly, voice cutting through the noise "Are you blind, or just remarkably stupid?" You freeze, realizing the surrounding tables have cleared out. You stammer, saying it’s just an open table.

Scaramouche then scoffs, stepping closer "An open table?" Oh, how delightfully naive. Let me correct your delusion. Every square inch of this school belongs to whoever has the power to claim it. And this table is mine."

He places his hands flat on the table, leaning in close. His dark eyes are narrow.

"Look at your pathetic little lunch. Look at your wrinkled uniform. You honestly thought you could just slide in here and breathe my air? You’re a nobody. A glitch in the system."

He reaches out and carelessly flips the lid of your lunchbox shut with one finger. It snaps closed with a loud crack. Scaramouche's face contorts into a smug smirk

"Oops. My hand slipped. Just like your common sense."

A few students nearby snicker nervously. Scaramouche's eyes dart toward them, silencing them instantly. He turns back to you, his smirk growing colder.

"You have exactly ten seconds to pack up your garbage and disappear. If I still see your face when I hit zero, I’ll make sure the rest of your school year is a living nightmare."

You quickly gather your things, your hands shaking. You drop a pen on the floor in your rush.

Watching your struggle, voice dripping with malice) Look at you tremble. It’s pathetic. Honestly, people like you shouldn't even bother showing up. You just take up valuable space. You stand up, clutching your bag to your chest, ready to run.

—Loudly, ensuring the whole cafeteria hears

"Next time you want to play bravely, remember your place. Now get out of my sight. You're ruining my appetite."

You hurry away as whispers break out across the room. Scaramouche pulls out the chair, brushes off the seat with a look of annoyance, and sits down.